Wednesday, December 30, 2009

During the flu season and especially since the Swine Flu epidemic, breastfeeding is so important in safeguarding your little ones.

Even the Center for Disease Control, whom I typically disagree with, agrees:

Because mothers make antibodies to fight diseases they come in contact with, their milk is custom-made to fight the diseases their babies are exposed to as well. This is really important in young babies when their immune system is still developing.

Breastmilk is nature's way of boosting a young ones immune system. All those lovely antibodies that mom has built up over her lifetime are passed along to her baby. This is a much safer and respectful way to immunize your baby.

There is one H1N1 vaccine approved for infants. The package insert for the H1N1 vaccine produced by Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. lists formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, as an ingredient in this vaccine. Since extensive testing of this vaccine hasn't been tested yet - the long term effects remain to be seen. What I can tell you is that injecting formaldehyde into any body, but particularity a little body can be very dangerous and in some cases fatal.

Mercury is also an ingredient in the Swine Flu vaccine. According to Victoria Nicks of Suite 101:

A .5 mL dose of the vaccine contains 25 micrograms of mercury, according to the package insert. Each infant dose of swine flu vaccine is .25 mL, exactly one-half the amount of vaccine and mercury, which equals 12.5 micrograms of mercury. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency uses a formula to state the amount of mercury that an individual can be exposed to without "recognized adverse effects," of .1 microgram per kilogram of body weight per day. In order to avoid adverse effects, the six month old infant receiving a 12.5 microgram dose must weigh at least 275 lbs.

In my house if a kid is sick, I will express some breast milk into a cup and have them drink it. I realize that some people might be grossed out by the idea, however, my children don't stay sick for more then a day or so. Even when my entire family had a Type A flu that we believe was H1N1 - not one of us was in bed for over 24 hours.

Without even touching on the obvious environmental and heath threats of disposable diapers: In this lovely recession I don't understand why anyone would waste money on disposable diapers.

Considering that an average pack of disposable diapers costs around $30 for a 40 count package. That fluctuate a bit depending on the size diaper you purchase.

Now just for the sake of arguing lets suppose you bought two dozen of the most expensive LolliDoo(TM) system. That would include Tye-Dye Fitted Innies(TM) paired with Recycled Outties(TM). Tye Dye Innies(TM) retail for $60 each and Recycled Outties(TM) are $28-$30 depending if they are Classic or Overnight.

According to disposablediaper.net - babies go through an average of 9 diapers a day. We all know that babies should be changed more often then that but for statistical purposes I'll use that figure. I am also going to use 2.5 years as an average time that a baby spends in diapers. This doesn't include "pull-ups" or the likes.

An average family will spend .75 a disposable diaper which costs approximately $6.75 per day. Annually a family will spend somewhere near $2464 and in two and a half years this family will have spent over $6000 on a disposable product.

Now lets go back to the premium LolliDoo(TM) line. Two dozen (approximately two days worth) Tye Dye Fitted Innies(TM) will run you $1440 and lets say that you buy 18 Classic Recycled Outties(TM) and 6 Overnight Recycled Outties totaling $684.

Lets compare the eco-pockets(TM) as well while we are at it, using the same quantities. So 18 Classic eco-pockets(TM) and 6 Overnight eco-pockets(TM) will cost $876.

As LolliDoo(TM) diapers are ALL one-size, there is no need to continually restock AND they can be passed down from child to child.As you can see from my calculations above, even using the most expensive LolliDoo(TM) system saves the consumer upwards of $4000 in a baby's lifetime.

Monday, December 7, 2009

I have to preface this post by saying that I grew up in a Jewish community and wasn't exposed to Christmas other then on TV or driving through downtown Cleveland to look at Christmas lights.

You spend how much?My very good friend was in tears because she only had $750 to spend on Christmas. I honestly had no idea that people spent that much. Hanukkah may be eight presents but the presents are things like a box of crayons or chocolate money that we call gelt. I have had rants in the past about the sheer consumerism of the holidays but honest to God, I did not grasp the magnitude of it until my girlfriend told me that she usually spends around $2000.

Cook until you dropClearly if you've seen a photo of me then you know that I enjoy pastries. I've recently learned that my gentile friends spend days making cookies and pastries. This has got to be my favorite part of the season (this is a big hint to make me cookies). Another Christmas tradition, at least in Tucson, is to make tamales. Oh my heck are they good.

So to recap - I am open to pastry and tamales if anyone wants to bring me some :)

Everyone assumes that you celebrate ChristmasIt's really weird for me, even after living in Tucson for 16 years, to have people wish me a Merry Christmas. That wasn't something that happened often back east. I appreciate the good wishes, I appreciate the thought of people on FaceBook sending me Christmas Trees and Christmas Ornaments but truthfully it's insulting. I wrestle with myself knowing full well they are not intentionally being prejudicial but rather they are just being happy in the holiday. I do wonder what would happen if I ignored Christmas and wished everyone a Happy Hanukkah and sent them dreidels and gelt on FaceBook 300,000 times.

Holy Consumerism Batman!I don't think this even needs an explanation other then WOW.

Expectations are highIt amazes me that people have this fantasy of how their Christmas should be. Some of my friends work themselves up into a panic trying to make their Christmas perfect. One of my best friends buys herself something every year just so that she has something to open. She takes her 5 year old son shopping and has him pick something out for her; she pays for it and wraps it and then hides it until Christmas. Yes I do feel bad for her and I love her so I try to give her something to open from me because her Christmas is made or broken by the presents.

What's up with the cards?I don't get the whole Christmas card thing and I always feel bad when I get one because I don't reciprocate - however if you send me a photo of your family it will live on my fridge for years.

Whatever holiday you celebrate, (or don't), have a safe, joyous and healthy new year.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

How could you succeed in your life without the full knowledge of what is going on?

I had the honor of receiving a palm reading from Cassie Lopez. Without me providing insight into my life; Cassie read and explained the various lines on my hand extremely accurately. She was able to identify places in my life that needed work as well as keys to my success. Not only was my reading with Cassie insightful but it helped me to get "unstuck".

If you have questions, if you feel "stuck", or even if you are just curious - I recommend that you ask Cassie to guide you through.

Cassie's goal is to travel the world giving lectures, motivational workshops, coaching businesses, training yoga teachers and also to write and perform original music that inspires and opens love in the world.She also offers phone readings for people in other areas. She wants to keep teaching her Transformational Tarot Workshop and has worked up some really good information and approach to teaching it.

About Me

I am a breastfeeding, baby wearing, co-sleeping, organic as possible Momma. I am by no means an Eco-Diva, but every day, little by little, I am learning and doing more to change our lives. I co-founded Go Green Sustainable Industries, makers of LolliDoo® Diapers. LolliDoo® Diapers are revolutionary cloth diapers made from recycled fleece and organic cotton all in the great state of Washington. Visit www.LolliDoo.com and see for yourself!